Bennie Thompson

American Politician
Bennie Thompson is a long-serving Democratic U.S. Representative from Mississippi's 2nd congressional district. He has been the chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security and is the only Democrat in Mississippi's congressional delegation. His district covers a large swath of the state, including the majority-black city of Jackson and the Mississippi Delta region.

About Bennie Thompson

Bennie Gordon Thompson (born January 28, 1948) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Mississippi’s 2nd congressional district since 1993. A member of the Democratic Party, Thompson served as the chair of the Committee on Homeland Security from 2007 to 2011 and from 2019 to 2023. He was both the first Democrat and the first African American to chair the committee. He is the dean of Mississippi’s congressional delegation.

Since 2011, Thompson has been the only Democrat in Mississippi’s congressional delegation. His district includes most of Jackson and is the only majority-black district in the state. It is about 275 miles (443 km) long, 180 miles (290 km) wide, and borders the Mississippi River. The Mississippi Delta comprises the vast majority of the district.

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Frequently asked questions about Bennie Thompson

Bennie Thompson was born on January 28, 1948.

Bennie Thompson is a member of the Democratic Party.

Bennie Thompson has served as the chair of the Committee on Homeland Security, both from 2007 to 2011 and from 2019 to 2023.

Yes, since 2011, Bennie Thompson has been the only Democrat in Mississippi’s congressional delegation.

Bennie Thompson’s district is about 275 miles long and 180 miles wide, covering most of Jackson and the majority-black Mississippi Delta region.

Bennie Thompson has been the U.S. representative for Mississippi’s 2nd congressional district since 1993.

Yes, Bennie Thompson was the first African American to chair the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Quotes by Bennie Thompson

Any successful nominee should possess both the temperament to interpret the law and the wisdom to do so fairly. The next Supreme Court Justice should have a record of protecting individual rights and a strong willingness to put aside any political agenda.

Bennie Thompson

Even President Bush has cited the need to outlaw the practice of corporations making loans to their officers. Strangely enough, when the President was a corporate officer, he took out several loans from the company.

Bennie Thompson

History suggests that attempts to privatize Medicare by relying on private companies to offer Medicare benefits in rural America simply will not work.

Bennie Thompson

I believe that if corporate America expects consumer confidence to be restored, they must first be honest with us.

Bennie Thompson

If you talk to the Whites in Mississippi they will tell you, ‘You can go to any school you want to; we don’t see race.’ Biggest lie ever told.

Bennie Thompson

Medicare debates in Congress should result in better Medicare benefits for all our nation’s seniors. We’re not asking for special treatment for rural America, just a fair deal.

Bennie Thompson

Medicare provided guaranteed equal coverage, something that the private sector could not.

Bennie Thompson

Rather than squander the surplus on tax breaks for the rich, we should add a prescription drug benefit to the Medicare program, shore up Social Security, fortify our defense, provide a quality public education and offer economic assistance to rural areas.

Bennie Thompson

Sending our young men and women into battle is perhaps the most serious course of action a Nation can undertake.

Bennie Thompson